Affordable CCNA switch

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RESTfulADI

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Work is covering my CCNA test so I need to get a switch or two for a home lab. I found an ASA 5505 for cheap so outside facing interface is covered. Can someone recommend a decent Cisco switch that will allow me to use all the IOS features the test covers? I don't need anything fancy but it would be nice if it had some L3 features and few 1G ports lol.
 
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3550 with EMI image is what a lot of people get for CCNA/CCNP level stuff with L3. I am about to order one myself.
 
A 2950 is the switch you want for a CCNA lab. L3 switches are not covered in the CCNA. If you plan to move to the NP, then consider 3550s. But they tend to be significantly more expensive.
 
I think I will be moving on to NP so it may be a good idea just go for the 3550. I may have found a 3550-12G for $300 but I will see first if work has an extra unit I can borrow/buy, there is Cisco stuff everywhere.
 
Don't waste money on the gig 3550s... Just buy a cheap 24 port 10/100 and get an EMI image for it.

I single 3550 EMI and a couple bargain basement 2950s is probably still enough to get through the new SWITCH exam material.
 
shiznit said:
I think I will be moving on to NP so it may be a good idea just go for the 3550. I may have found a 3550-12G for $300 but I will see first if work has an extra unit I can borrow/buy, there is Cisco stuff everywhere.
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IIRC, that's the model with all GBICs. The T is the copper model. Keep that in mind (and verify that I'm not backwards).
 
Vito_Corleone said:
IIRC, that's the model with all GBICs. The T is the copper model. Keep that in mind (and verify that I'm not backwards).
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you are right, but it's half the price of the 3550-12T (the standard ethernet version) and the adapters are like $10. I was going for a gigabit since I actually don't even have a switch right now but I will very soon with my ESXi server going up in a couple of weeks and all this Cisco stuff on the way.

Would it be better to get a cheap gigabit switch and build the lab with 100mb cisco stuff?
 
shiznit said:
you are right, but it's half the price of the 3550-12T (the standard ethernet version) and the adapters are like $10. I was going for a gigabit since I actually don't even have a switch right now but I will very soon with my ESXi server going up in a couple of weeks and all this Cisco stuff on the way.

Would it be better to get a cheap gigabit switch and build the lab with 100mb cisco stuff?
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IMO, yes, it's better to go cheap for lab stuff and not try to use it "in production" at home. That defeats the purpose of a lab. If you're using it at home, you'll be less likely to start breaking shit (aka labbing) with your gear.
 
i would recommend going virtual for your setup to be honest. it would be nice to have some hardware to play around with, but you can get much more elaborate with a virtual SIM. create an entire network and load the configs from scratch

the best SIM ive used is GNS3, its freeware and very useful. it can be a resource hog, so you really do need a good computer, or several computers hooked up (iirc you can create an environment with multiple computers.) the cool thing about this software is, you have to download IOS versions you want to run in your sim. you load the IOS images you feel liek using to your virtual router/switch and configure it from scratch from the command line. it is very cool, but the learning curve can suck a bit. i am no expert in it, but it is handy. my buddy with 3x CCIE recommended it to me and said its the only SIM he uses, and uses it alot to do virtual environments of clients he supports to see if certain setups will work or not without affecting production.
 
GNS3 is fine for routers, but not for switches... this thread is about switches.
 
audirs said:
i would recommend going virtual for your setup to be honest. it would be nice to have some hardware to play around with, but you can get much more elaborate with a virtual SIM. create an entire network and load the configs from scratch

the best SIM ive used is GNS3, its freeware and very useful. it can be a resource hog, so you really do need a good computer, or several computers hooked up (iirc you can create an environment with multiple computers.) the cool thing about this software is, you have to download IOS versions you want to run in your sim. you load the IOS images you feel liek using to your virtual router/switch and configure it from scratch from the command line. it is very cool, but the learning curve can suck a bit. i am no expert in it, but it is handy. my buddy with 3x CCIE recommended it to me and said its the only SIM he uses, and uses it alot to do virtual environments of clients he supports to see if certain setups will work or not without affecting production.
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You cannot emulate the switches in GNS3.
 
I have been using Packet Tracer and downloaded GNS3 but have not tried to configure it yet. I will certainly give it another look, 4.0 ghz core i5 quad should be enough lol. So I just use the IOS image for the device I want and it should work the same way as PT right?

edit:
Ok I just saw AMD's post, it begs the question: can I connect a real switch with a virtual network in GNS3?
 
I have one 2950 48 port running enhanced. trying to decide what else to get to round it out. any suggestions?
Posted via Mobile Device
 
I paid $280 for the following setup:

2x2950
2x2611
1x2621

Got a terminal server along with it and voila!
 
I know I am breaking a rule by doing this but if I don't I am going to end up throwing this equipment out. I have three 2950's sitting here plus two 3500XLs and several 3550's. This is all excess equipment from a small business I ran awhile back. If you don't mind waiting for USPS to ship from overseas, I would happily sell this stuff cheap. Sadly, I have been burned by Ebay before. I'll list this stuff in the for sale forum to make this legit. I'll place the ad up in the morning...late night your time.

I was considering keeping them for my own lab but I have access to 3560's and 3750's for that purpose.
 
Shadowspawn said:
I know I am breaking a rule by doing this but if I don't I am going to end up throwing this equipment out. I have three 2950's sitting here plus two 3500XLs and several 3550's. This is all excess equipment from a small business I ran awhile back. If you don't mind waiting for USPS to ship from overseas, I would happily sell this stuff cheap. Sadly, I have been burned by Ebay before. I'll list this stuff in the for sale forum to make this legit. I'll place the ad up in the morning...late night your time.

I was considering keeping them for my own lab but I have access to 3560's and 3750's for that purpose.
Click to expand...

ygpm
 
AMD_Gamer said:
You cannot emulate the switches in GNS3.
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you are correct that you cannot emulate the catalyst switches, but there is a simple switch you can add that lets you vlan and trunk iirc. but yea, catalyst switches use a processor that is nearly impossible to emulate
 
Shadowspawn said:
I know I am breaking a rule by doing this but if I don't I am going to end up throwing this equipment out. I have three 2950's sitting here plus two 3500XLs and several 3550's. This is all excess equipment from a small business I ran awhile back. If you don't mind waiting for USPS to ship from overseas, I would happily sell this stuff cheap. Sadly, I have been burned by Ebay before. I'll list this stuff in the for sale forum to make this legit. I'll place the ad up in the morning...late night your time.

I was considering keeping them for my own lab but I have access to 3560's and 3750's for that purpose.
Click to expand...

Edit: wow thats not a pm :(
 
didn't get to message you before he did. hopefully you still have some stuff by the time I get home.
 
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